Ghanaian sensation Kobbie Mainoo has been crowned as the new winner of the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year at Manchester United, after a stellar 2022/23 season.
The Stockport-born midfielder made his senior first-team debut in January, when Erik ten Hag selected him to start United's 3-0 Carabao Cup quarter-final win against Charlton Athletic.
Mainoo, has gone ahead to make two further first-XI appearances, in the Emirates FA Cup against Reading, and then in the English Premier League, during their 3-0 win over Leicester City.
The 18-year-old has also been a robust performer for the teams Under-21 side in Premier League 2, scoring two goals and providing two assists.
"It’s an unbelievable feeling. I have been at this club all my life and it’s all been building to tonight. And to have my family here watching me, surrounding me, it is just amazing," Mainoo reflected on his progress at the club.
“I’ve been in training with the lads quite a few times. They all made me feel welcome and all gave me words of advice and encouragement. So I felt at home.
“To stay around it and to keep on getting more games is the ultimate goal. I want to stay at this club; I’ve been here my whole life.”
Head of Academy Nick Cox said: "Every time Kobbie has played for an Academy side this year, he has performed to a very high standard and that has given him the platform to go and impress Erik ten Hag and the first-team coaches.
"His debut was a fantastic moment for Kobbie, his family and the dedicated staff who have supported him along the journey. To start a game for Manchester United, at the age of just 17, is a special achievement. We are really proud of the way he has applied himself in first-team training and he thoroughly deserves the recognition of this award."
Mainoo joins an illustrious cast of winners dating back to Norman Whiteside in 1982/83 – when the prize was known as the Supporters' Club Young Player of the Year.
Subsequent recipients include Mark Hughes, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Danny Welbeck and Marcus Rashford.
By: Pascal Nii Gogo Amoah
